Obituary of Hart Alan Cook

On the 16th of March 2021, Hart “Al” Alan Cook, a loving father of six children, passed away peacefully at the age of 71 from pneumonia at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born on November 14th, 1949 to Jeanette Marshall and George Cook in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was the oldest of six children, and he helped raise them after his mother’s tragic passing before heading to college to get an Associates of Arts in Psychology. He lived in Battle Creek, Cloverdale and Delton before moving to Kalamazoo in 2000 following the birth of his youngest child. He loved living in the country, as it provided him the best opportunity to be outside. Despite his degree, he loved to work with his hands, and spent most of his life working in maintenance. He loved talking with people, helping them in whatever way he could. He worked at the James River Paper Company, Ace Hardware in Cloverdale, and Regency Square Apartments most notably. If he wasn’t at work, he could be found outside, enjoying everything that nature had to offer. He often spent hours watching the birds, or ducks out on Long Lake in Cloverdale, Michigan. He would often sit and watch the sunsets in awe. He loved watching the ducks on the lake during the days. He also had many cats throughout his life that he loved. He was supportive of his children, loved them fiercely, and would offer unfiltered advice if asked. He often told them a piece of advice he had received from his Grandmother, “It doesn’t cost a dime to be polite, Goddammit!”. He is preceded in death by his parents Jeanette Marshall and George Cook, paternal grandparents Ollie Ingle and Hart Cook, his maternal grandparents Mildred Grover and George Marshall, and his beloved uncle Charles Marshall. He is also preceded in death by his best friend Charles “Corky” Fetterley. He is survived by his sisters Kay Bowerman, Mary Gilchrist, Delane Wilste, and his brothers Kirk Cook and Christopher Foight. He is also survived by his children Leslie Rae Cook, Jonathon David Cook, Jesse Ray Cook, Jacob Russell Cook, Cathy Ann Bishop, and Jon Alan Cook along with many grandchildren who he loved with all of his heart. At this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family is planning a summer memorial.